PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has thrown down the gauntlet, telling Prime Minister Tony Abbott to show compassion and activate Category C disaster funding for central Queensland.
Speaking from the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens, devastated by Cyclone Marcia, Ms Palaszczuk said this funding would mean primary producers would be able to apply for up to $25,000 in grants and get their lives back on track.
“What I am asking today is very clearly for the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, to start showing some compassion and to start helping these primary producers get back on their feet,” she said.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries last week collected information from primary producers on the effect of the cyclone, and Queensland Country Life understands the state government lodged an application for Category C funding early this week.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had written to the Prime Minister to have Category C activated, and also thought it was time to relax the guidelines.
“We should let these producers use that money how they see fit; if that means planting crops, for goodness sake let them replant crops," she said.
“If that means putting in proper irrigation systems or fixing up irrigation systems, then let’s do it.”
Not only had people lost their homes, they had also lost their livelihoods and were not sure how they would continue, she said.
There would be an impact on the local economy, as many of these producers employed local people.
“Politics needs to be put to the side and the federal government needs to come to the party.
“The state government has prepared everything we need to do – we’re prepared to put the cash up on the table but the federal government must now match the state government.”
A federal government spokesperson said the Prime Minister had responded to the premier’s letter.
"Since the premier’s letter was received federal government agencies have sought more advice from Queensland authorities that, under natural disaster funding arrangements, are required to assess Category C requests," they said.
"The letter said: We have a mutual interest in ensuring every possible assistance is provided to the affected Queensland communities, and ongoing cooperation and collaboration by our respective governments will be essential to ensuring that this continues to occur.
"The federal government looks forward to Queensland’s cooperation in providing all relevant information so we can make the Category C assessment swiftly."
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Margaret Strelow said not only had agriculture suffered, but small businesses too.
“At the moment there are families who have been in business for years, who looking at the hurdles in front of them and wondering if they can keep going,” she said.
Cr Strelow said people needed as much encouragement and support as they could to continue going, particularly with the decline in the mining sector and coming out of a slow Christmas period.
“Yes, that means money and yes that means locals supporting locals. I know it’s tough, but we just need to get through the next six months with as few businesses folding as possible.”
The state government will consider calling for Category D funding if the federal government implements Category C.
